Pfizer/BioNtech’s mRNA vaccine that uses genetic codes has been leading the global vaccine race against the Coronavirus. An interim analysis has revealed that the vaccine was 90 percent effective in protecting people from the transmission of the coronavirus in its global trials.
With hopes soaring high after the news came in, here is everything you need to know about the vaccine.
- BioNtech, the originator company of the vaccine is founded by two German scientists, Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci.
- The vaccine was originally set to develop immunotherapy for cancer but later concentrated its capacities for a Covid-19 vaccine.
- The first set of results from the phase 3 trial of the Covid-19 vaccine has provided initial evidence to prevent the virus. Over 43,000 volunteered to take part in this trial.
- The vaccine has performed better than the experts of the company hoped for, bringing in the potential to end the global pandemic.
- So far the new vaccine has no safety concerns or serious side-effects. With over 90 percent effectiveness rate, the vaccine looks promising to protect against the new virus.
- The global trial will continue into December and the regulators have already started looking into the process to apply for an emergency license after the final trial ends.
- The Manufacturing of the vaccine is already underway. Pfizer expects to supply 50m vaccine doses in 2020 and 1.3 billion globally by 2021.
- It is up to the countries to decide who will get priority for vaccination. The UK vaccination and immunization committee recommended the vaccines to reach the essential health workers, social workers, basically anybody over 80 first. After that people are expected to receive the vaccine in decreasing age order.
- The Chairman and chief executive of Pfizer said, “Today is a great day for science and humanity.
We still have to wait for the final results and there is a long way before the vaccines start to make a real difference.
